Daily Readings - Thu Sep 14 2023
First Reading - Numbers 21.4-9 or Philippians 2.6-11
Numbers
4They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way;5they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the desert? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!"6Then the LORD sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died.7The people came to Moses and said, "We sinned when we spoke against the LORD and against you. Pray that the LORD will take the snakes away from us." So Moses prayed for the people.8The LORD said to Moses, "Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live."9So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, he lived.
Philippians
6Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,7but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.8And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross!9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
John
13No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven--the Son of Man.14Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,15that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Sermon
In today's readings, we journey through two profound narratives that weave together themes of faith, redemption, and divine love. The first reading from Numbers recounts the Israelites' arduous journey through the wilderness, marked by their discontent and rebellion against God. Their complaints about the hardships and the manna lead to a divine judgment in the form of fiery serpents. Yet, in their repentance, Moses intercedes, and God provides a symbol of salvation—the bronze serpent. Those who gaze upon it are healed, illustrating the power of faith and God's merciful response to repentance.
The Gospel of John draws a poignant connection between this ancient story and the mission of Jesus Christ. Just as Moses lifted the bronze serpent for the salvation of the people, Jesus must be lifted up on the cross. This act of sacrifice embodies God's boundless love, as expressed in John 3:16, where He gives His only Son for the salvation of the world. The serpent in the wilderness becomes a prefiguration of Christ's redemptive work, emphasizing that faith in Him leads to eternal life. This connection underscores the continuity of God's plan of salvation, where looking upon Jesus with faith brings us healing and eternal life.
In our daily lives, we often find ourselves in our own wilderness, facing challenges and uncertainties. Like the Israelites, we may grumble against the journey, questioning God's plan. Yet, these readings remind us to trust in God's love and providence. Just as the bronze serpent required the people to look upon it with faith, we too must fix our gaze on Christ. In times of trial, let us turn to Jesus, the ultimate symbol of salvation, and find strength in His love. May we reflect on our own faith journeys, embracing trust and gratitude, and may our hearts remain open to the healing power of God's grace.